Shop Press - Auto Repair News & Ideas

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Hot Off the Press

It’s time to stop salting the roads

I was just thinking today that my “fun vehicle” window is closing soon; this is the period of the year where I’ll drive or ride anything I own. Old vehicles don’t stand a chance in the salt belt. Anyone I know who has anything nice keeps it far away from...

Hacker plays “Doom” on farm tractor to raise awareness of right to repair

For those who are unaware, hacking technology to run the legendary ‘90s first-person shooter video game “Doom” has been a trend for a while now. Since technology has advanced so much in the last three decades, the size of the original 1993 “Doom” is so small in...

Automakers borrow the worst thing from modern video games: microtransactions

If you’re a video gamer, you’re likely aware of the concept of microtransactions. If you’re not, allow me to explain. Microtransactions are payments that gamers can make after they’ve started to play a game, to purchase purely cosmetic digital items (in its more...

Nine notable “cars” that aren’t cars

Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of Polaris Slingshots on the road. OK, not a ton of them, but I do take notice of them when I see them. Usually it makes me think, “What is the deal with those things? Are they cars or not?” When I looked into it, I discovered there...

Mechanics React: More horrors hidden behind “customer states” (VIDEO)

Description In this episode of Mechanics React, Nick and Lem see some vehicles with pretty major problems and give their expert mechanical opinions completely free of charge—and their diags are worth exactly what they've been paid for them! Check out the video.

Tool review: Milwaukee M18 Tire Inflator

Disclaimer: I purchased this tool at full retail price. I have a relative who works at Milwaukee Tool who usually gets me items at a steep discount, but there is no requirement to write about them. Have you switched (or are you switching) to electric tools from air?...

PSA: Your customers are probably parking incorrectly

It’s hard to tell someone they do something as basic as parking their car incorrectly. But I’m a charismatic guy, and I like a challenge, so I do this with customers and have for a long time. Why? Because the commonly accepted way of parking a car is pretty dangerous....

Mechanics React: There are a few missing symptoms on these ROs (VIDEO)

Description Nick and Lem are at it again. They took a peek at some pretty wild repair scenarios this time around the block, and a theme seemed to emerge: customer obfuscation of symptoms. See some of the surprises Reddit had in store and what two Dorman wrenchers had...

Air Conditioning Service Fundamentals – ASE Practice Question (VIDEO)

A/C systems are evolving with new designs and refrigerants, making accurate diagnosis and repair more important than ever.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Using voltage to locate electrical faults

Understanding how voltage is used in an electrical circuit can help your troubleshooting.

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

How do you handle billing shop supplies?

You ARE accounting for them, right?

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

Fixing cracked plastic parts with a hot staple tool (VIDEO)

When plastic parts break, sometimes replacements can be prohibitively expensive or hard to find. Learn how to use a hot staple tool to salvage broken plastics for auto repairs and other projects.

ABOUT SHOP PRESS

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle. With interesting stories from around the world, features on creative people and solutions, and all kinds of other stuff that’ll make you use your mind and your hands.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

PSA: Be Safe With Carburetor Cleaner, Too

PSA: Be Safe With Carburetor Cleaner, Too

Is carb cleaner actually more dangerous than brake cleaner?

Separate gasket – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Separate gasket – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Which of the following is LEAST LIKELY to require a separate gasket for installation?

Smarter, not harder: relative compression testing

Smarter, not harder: relative compression testing

Analyzing a new trick I learned from an old dog.

Can’t break that crank bolt loose? You need a crank socket (VIDEO)

Can’t break that crank bolt loose? You need a crank socket (VIDEO)

Crank fasteners are often a real pain to remove. Mechanics with expensive impact wrenches and large breaker bars struggle to remove them—but there’s a better way.

So you want to restore a classic or build a kit car? Think twice.

So you want to restore a classic or build a kit car? Think twice.

Unless you’re a professional mechanic or a hardcore DIYer, I suggest you focus on building memories instead of a car.

Want to contribute an article to Shop Press?

Are you a wrench and a writer? A counterperson and a communicator? A service writer and a scribe? Get paid to share your experience and expertise with thousands of Shop Press readers.

SHOP STUFF

Auto care news and advice you can use.

Is the Oil Change Interval in a Vehicle’s Owner’s Manual Always the Right Choice? (VIDEO)

Is the Oil Change Interval in a Vehicle’s Owner’s Manual Always the Right Choice? (VIDEO)

Pete Meier explains how vehicle usage and oil/filter quality should affect your maintenance schedules.

A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)

A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)

Break out your paint pen—you’re the service writer now!

ASE test prep requires more than sample questions (VIDEO)

ASE test prep requires more than sample questions (VIDEO)

Do you have a study guide to prepare for your ASE exams? Which parts of that study guide do you use the most? Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier explains.

The TPMS tool that pays for itself

The TPMS tool that pays for itself

Why wouldn’t your shop purchase a few of these?

Tapping V6 – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Tapping V6 – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Two technicians are examining a tapping sound coming from a V6 engine. See who has the correct response about what’s causing the noise.

VIDEOS

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

The very best way to remove grease from auto upholstery

This surefire solution really stinks.

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Airbag direction – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

When placing an airbag on a workbench, which is the safest direction for it to face? We have the answer.

A different type of timed event: the Bobby Bosch Relay Race

A different type of timed event: the Bobby Bosch Relay Race

Your daily work is also a cruel automotive penalty.